The appearance of Ogun State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, Hon. Abayomi Hunye, at the rally in support of President Bola Tinubu in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has renewed attention to his political standing amid the lingering controversy over his alleged suspension from the ruling party.

Hunye was among political figures who attended the rally on Saturday, November 7, as party stakeholders and supporters converged on the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium to mobilise support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.

His presence at the high-profile event has generated fresh political conversations in Ogun State, where the former Commissioner for Community Development and Cooperatives is pursuing the APC governorship ticket amid an increasingly contentious struggle over the party’s leadership and candidate-selection process.

For Hunye and his supporters, the appearance underscores his continued involvement in the party’s political activities and his determination to remain part of the broader APC mobilisation ahead of 2027.

However, the development has also brought the unresolved questions surrounding his party membership and the implications of the controversy for the APC’s internal cohesion in Ogun State back into focus.

Suspension Controversy Returns To Spotlight

The debate over Hunye’s political standing has persisted since the controversy surrounding his membership of the Ogun APC intensified ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

In August, the APC sought police investigation into allegations of impersonation against Hunye, maintaining that he had been suspended from the party. The party also challenged his claims concerning the governorship race.

Hunye’s camp, however, has disputed the circumstances surrounding his exclusion from the party’s governorship primary and maintained that the issues raised against him should be resolved through due process.

His participation in the Port Harcourt rally has consequently become another talking point among political observers monitoring the unfolding crisis within the Ogun APC.

Although attendance at a political rally does not, in itself, establish formal party membership, Hunye’s appearance demonstrates that he remains actively engaged in political mobilisation and has not abandoned his governorship ambition.

For his supporters, the message is clear: the former OGWAMA managing director remains committed to the APC project and determined to pursue his political aspirations.

Ogun 2027: The Stakes Behind Hunye’s Ambition

Beyond the membership controversy, Hunye’s governorship ambition is rooted in a broader argument about political equity, regional representation and the distribution of power in Ogun State.

A native of Ipokia Local Government Area in Ogun West Senatorial District, Hunye has positioned himself as a contender for the state’s highest political office at a time when zoning, fairness and regional representation are increasingly prominent in conversations about the 2027 governorship election.

Ogun State comprises three senatorial districts: Ogun Central, Ogun East and Ogun West. While political interests across the state continue to compete for influence, advocates of Ogun West’s governorship aspiration argue that the district deserves a fair opportunity to produce the next governor.

Hunye’s supporters have consistently framed his ambition around this demand for equitable representation, arguing that political inclusiveness should be reflected in the distribution of leadership opportunities across the state.

His emergence as a governorship aspirant has therefore become part of a wider debate about whether the APC can reconcile competing interests and regional expectations while maintaining unity ahead of the next election.

For Hunye, the contest is not simply about securing the party’s ticket. It is also about persuading party members and voters that Ogun West deserves serious consideration in the state’s political calculations.

Tinubu’s Re-election And Ogun APC Unity

Hunye’s participation in the Port Harcourt rally also aligns with his previously expressed support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid.

In September, the governorship aspirant joined political stakeholders at a rally organised by the Coalition of Registered Political Parties in Abeokuta, where he urged Nigerians to support the President and vote for APC candidates in the 2027 elections.

At the event, Hunye praised Tinubu’s approach to infrastructure and economic development, expressing optimism that continued support for the APC would benefit Ogun State.

His appearance in Rivers State reinforces that publicly stated position and places his political activities within the wider mobilisation surrounding Tinubu’s second-term ambition.

The Port Harcourt rally brought together prominent political leaders and supporters, with the President urging Nigerians to use their Permanent Voter Cards to determine the country’s political future.

For the APC, the mobilisation is part of a broader effort to consolidate support ahead of the 2027 elections. For political actors in Ogun State, it also offers an opportunity to strengthen their connections with the party’s national leadership while preparing for the governorship contest at home.

A Test Of Fairness And Party Cohesion

The controversy surrounding Hunye reflects a broader challenge facing political parties: managing internal disagreements without allowing disputes over membership, primaries and leadership to undermine party unity.

For the APC, which is seeking to retain its political dominance in Ogun State, how such disagreements are resolved could have implications for the confidence of party members, the loyalty of supporters and the party’s electoral prospects.

Hunye’s camp has maintained that fairness, due process and equal opportunity should guide the resolution of the issues surrounding his political participation.

His appearance in Port Harcourt has added another dimension to the unfolding political drama, placing his continued engagement in national APC activities alongside unresolved questions about his standing within the Ogun chapter.

As the 2027 governorship contest gathers momentum, the ability of the Ogun APC to manage competing ambitions and address internal grievances may prove just as important as its efforts to mobilise support for the President.

For now, Hunye’s presence at the Port Harcourt rally has ensured that his political ambition and the questions surrounding his place in the Ogun APC remain firmly in the conversation.